Cost of post-stroke outpatient care in Malaysia
Singapore medical journal
;
: 116-119, 2015.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-337183
ABSTRACT
<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aimed to investigate the direct cost of outpatient care for patients with stroke, as well as the relationship between the aforementioned cost and the sociodemographic and stroke characteristics of the patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with first-ever stroke who were attending outpatient stroke rehabilitation, and their family members. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed to obtain information regarding the cost of outpatient care. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This study comprised 49 patients (28 men, 21 women) with a mean age of 60.2 (range 35-80) years. The mean total cost incurred was USD 547.10 (range USD 53.50-4,591.60), of which 36.6% was spent on attendant care, 25.5% on medical aids, 15.1% on travel expenses, 14.1% on medical fees and 8.5% on out-of-pocket expenses. Stroke severity, age > 70 years and haemorrhagic stroke were associated with increased cost. The mean cost of attending outpatient therapy per patient was USD 17.50 per session (range USD 6.60-30.60), with travelling expenses (41.8%) forming the bulk of the cost, followed by medical fees (38.1%) and out-of-pocket expenses (10.9%). Multiple regression analysis showed that stroke severity was the main determinant of post-stroke outpatient care cost (p < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Post-stroke outpatient care costs are significantly influenced by stroke severity. The cost of attendant care was the main cost incurred during the first three months after hospital discharge, while travelling expenses was the main cost incurred when attending outpatient stroke rehabilitation therapy.</p>
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Outpatients
/
Rehabilitation
/
Social Class
/
Severity of Illness Index
/
Cross-Sectional Studies
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Health Care Costs
/
Stroke
/
Economics
/
Ambulatory Care
Type of study:
Health economic evaluation
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Singapore medical journal
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
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